David Kessen

Plans have been drawn up to stop people sleeping rough in a doorway where a Doncaster homeless man was attacked.

Karl Notley was left in a coma after suffering serious injuries as he spent the night in the doorway of the British Heart Foundation Shop on Printing Office Street in Doncaster town centre.

Now planning notices outside the building reveal proposals to seal the space off with a metal barrier which would keep rough sleepers out.

An official report beforeDoncaster Council town planning officers states that the recessed entrance has been subject to antisocial behaviour.

A document lodged with planning officers states: “The Building is Grade II Listed.

“The Planning/Listed Building Application is for provision of security gates to the recessed shop entrance doorway – to prevent ongoing problems with homeless persons using the covered area for overnight accommodation, toilet facility, and drug use (which has to be cleaned up by BHF staff on a daily basis).

“The building trades as a charity shop, open to members of the public, selling furniture and electrical goods.”

It would see ‘lattice’ type gates put in place on the site, which dates back to 1938 and is one of Doncaster’s best examples of art deco architecture.

Police were called out on Wednesday August 10 after Mr Notley was found with serious head injuries after the incident which happened in the early hours of the morning.

A man was later charged with grievous bodily harm after the incident and appeared at Donaster Magistrates Court.

Well wishers have since set up an appeal to raise money to make sure that 52 year old Mr Notley has somewhere safe to stay when he comes out of hospital.

They have already passed their original target of £200.

n Anyone wanting to donate to the Just Giving page can visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/for-karl